September 2009

British Petroleum (BP) visited the Wellsville campus of Alfred State College recently to present the School of Applied Technology with a “BP Buggy,” a solar-powered all-terrain vehicle for use in the college’s alternative energy programming. On hand from BP to turn over the keys were Eric Larson, the environment business manager at Wellsville for BP’s Remediation Management; Pat King, vice president of operations for remediation (global); and Marti Power, senior external affairs manager for remediation in the United States.

“This is a totally emission-free solar vehicle,” said Power. “There is a rechargeable battery back-up,” she noted.

This is the 22nd vehicle of its type BP has donated to a variety of locations such as zoos and wildlife habitats through a program begun about three years ago. The vehicles are manufactured in Louisiana; after production, BP has each of the buggies it purchases retro-fitted with safety belts.

“We have donated these vehicles to zoos and wildlife habitats because they are so quiet that they don’t disturb the animals,” Power continued. “We have also donated vehicles to three other colleges,” she said. She also noted that “Alfred State College has the best alternative energy programming” that they’ve seen, primarily because of the hands-on nature of the education.

“This vehicle is just a symbol of a larger partnership,” said Larson. “Our relationship with Alfred State began in about 1997,” he noted, “and has continued to grow.”

In fact, noted Craig R. Clark, Alfred State College interim vice president for academic affairs and executive director of the Wellsville campus, “One example of this partnership is BP’s donation of $20,000 for the array of photovoltaic panels (constructed by our students) that generates enough electricity to power our campus library.”

And the relationship continues to grow.

BP’s wetland treatment system project and Alfred State College are located next to each other on what once was the footprint of the old Sinclair refinery. But their proximity has meant more than just being good neighbors; it has sparked a successful and ever-growing partnership.

Earlier this spring, BP’s Wellsville project team linked up with students on campus to celebrate Earth Day by planting a dozen trees donated by BP to Alfred State. Students were offered a short presentation introducing them to the wetland treatment system project before heading outside to beautify the campus and help the environment.

BP also is developing a contract with the College’s faculty and students to build a solar-powered telemetry system to help control water levels at the wetland treatment system on site. Additionally, BP Solar is partnering with Alfred State and six community colleges on a statewide NYSERDA grant supporting photovoltaic training programs.

Larson explained the important relationship with the College. “As a global leader in solar technology, BP is excited about continuing our partnership with Alfred State’s electrical construction and maintenance electrician program which incorporates alternative energy systems, including solar technology, into the course work. The enthusiasm of the College, its faculty, and its students for solar energy is infectious and it’s exciting for us to be working with students who will become leaders in a field that will play a critical part in our nation’s energy future.”

Clark concurred: “BP and Alfred State have developed a very positive and mutually beneficial partnership that is providing significant resources and opportunities for our students. Adding this solar vehicle to our photovoltaic technology programming will give our students an opportunity to explore new uses for solar energy. The contract to build and maintain a solar telemetry system for BP's wetland treatment system is the kind of hands-on project that stimulates our students and sets our program apart. We're happy to have BP as a partner and neighbor and look forward to finding more ways we can continue this successful partnership.”

Assistant Professor Jeffrey Stevens said, “The future will feature an abundance of alternative energy technologies and Alfred State wants to educate students in this field to prepare them for the world of tomorrow. We’re thrilled that a leader in the industry like BP also is a great neighbor.”

Alfred State College President Dr. John M. Anderson, echoed the group’s sentiments when he noted, “Alfred State College is delighted to partner with British Petroleum—an environmentally concerned company working toward cleaner energy. This partnership dovetails well with the college’s goal of sustainability.”

The solar-powered vehicles, built by Bad Boy Buggies, are modified all-terrain vehicles (ATV) with 30 horsepower engines and more than 170 pounds of torque. The vehicle is capable of negotiating a 40-degree incline. It has room for four passengers and a load capacity of 880 pounds. It can pull a small trailer with 1,500 pounds. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 22 miles per hour.

The Alfred State College football team opened up the 2009 season with a strong showing in a 40-14 victory at Stevens Tech (Lancaster, PA). The Pioneers passed for 434 yards and held the Bulldog offense to 232 yards.

The Pioneers got on the board first after Dmeetri Wilson (Monroe Township) picked off a pass in the end zone on Stevens Tech’s first possession. Reggie Corley (Elmira Free) connected with Rod Streater (Burlington, NJ) on the very next play for an 80-yard score.

Streater and Corley connected again with 1:07 remaining in the 1st quarter on a 66-yard scoring strike. Corley tossed his third scoring pass at 9:47 of the 2nd quarter when he hit Pat White (Warren, OH) on a 15-yard pass play.

Stevens got on the board to make it 20-7 at halftime but the Pioneers put the game out of reach with three unanswered scoring drives in the 2nd half. Jules Harvey (Freeport) rushed in from 3-yards out, Quintin McKenzie (Euclid, OH) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Glomb (Buffalo), and Anthony Bright (Philadelphia, PA) caught a 35-yard scoring pass from Glomb to cap the blue & gold’s scoring.

Stevens scored late in the game on a 38-yard pass play to close the scoring in the contest.

Corley finished 14 for 26 for 358 yards and three scores while Glomb was 4 for 5 for 76 yards and two scores. Streater caught 4 passes for 171 yards, White had five receptions for 119, and Bright racked up 99 yards receiving and 16 yards rushing.

Sir Aaron Taylor (Westchester) and Robert Edmonds (Washington, DC) each finished with eight tackles. Taylor picked off a pass and broke up three pass plays. Ricky DeJesus (Englewood, NJ) finished with seven tackles and an interception, Obi Ezemma (Queens) had seven tackles, and David Everts (Randolph) and Claxton DuVal (Rochester) both were involved in two sacks.

Alfred State out-gained Stevens Tech 518 to 232 and held a +2 in the turnover battle (3 interceptions and only one fumble lost).

The Pioneers move into Northeast Football Conference play next weekend when they travel to Orchard Park for a 1 p.m. contest with Erie CC.

The Alfred State College men’s soccer team fell 2-1 to SUNY Delhi on day one of the East-West Showdown at Hudson Valley CC.

The Broncos scored a goal in each half to build a 2-0 lead. Kevin Arilotta (Churchville Chili) cut the lead to 2-1 in the 67th minute but the Pioneers could not get any closer. Arilotta’s goal was set up by Matt Kooy (Caledonia Mumford).

ASC out-shot Delhi 18 to 13 on the day. Daniel Krajcir (Gloversville) made eight saves in net for the blue & gold.

The Pioneers take on Hudson Valley CC at 3 p.m. on day two of the showdown in Troy, NY.

The Alfred State College baseball team opened up the fall season with a doubleheader sweep of Mercyhurst North East. Joe Wallace (Avoca) tossed a six inning no-hitter in the game one 10-0 victory while the Pioneers rallied for five runs in the 7th for a 8-7 victory in the nightcap.

Wallace walked just two batters en route to the victory in the opener. He struck out seven in the first ASC no-hitter since March 31, 2007.

The Pioneers scored three in the 3rd, six in the 4th, and one in the 6th. Jake Dale (Keshequa) led the offense with a 3 for 3, 3 RBI day while Mike Graham (Horseheads) collected a triple and a RBI.

In the nightcap, Matt Whedbee (Bath) singled home the winning run to cap a five-run 7th inning rally. The blue & gold trailed 7-3 heading into the 7th and got a big two-run double by Kyle Barkley (Penn Yan) to tie the game.

Barkley led the eight-hit attack with a 2 for 3 day while Steve Smith (Hornell) had a RBI double. Tyler Mann (Holland Patent) picked up the win after John Whitehead (Amherst) pitched five solid innings out of the pen to keep the Pioneers in the game early on.

With the victories, ASC head coach Tom Kenney improves his career record to 599-280-2. He will have his first shot at 600 on Sunday when the Pioneers take on Erie CC in another WNYAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The Alfred State College volleyball team won two of three matches at the ASC Quad meet to open up the 2009 season. The Pioneers fell 3-0 (21-25, 20-25, 19-25) to SUNY Delhi, defeated Nassau CC 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23), and Monroe CC 3-1 (29-27, 25-15, 20-25, 25-18).

Versus Delhi, Bobbi Hopkins (Southwestern) led the way with eight kills, 10 digs, and two blocks while Kelley Dumbleton (Warsaw) added seven kills and four blocks. Brittany Haines (Salamanca) passed out 26 assists, Chrissy Nolan (Niagara Wheatfield) recorded eight digs, and Rachel Hale (Batavia) was credited with six kills.

Emily Linn (Portville) recored 12 kills and two blocks in the victory over Nassau. Hopkins finished with sevens kills and eight digs, Haines passed out 24 assists and recorded eight digs, and Dumbleton had a match high 11 digs.

Hopkins had a team high 14 kills versus Monroe in the final match of the day. Haines passed out 41 assists, collected 11 digs, and had three blocks. Linn chipped in 10 kills, Hale had nine kills and five digs, and Kelly McDermott (Webster Thomas) had a match high 12 digs.

ASC entered the 2009 season ranked 5th in the preseason, Nassau was ranked 8th, and Monroe 9th. ASC, Delhi, and Nassau all finished the day 2-1 while Monroe was 0-3.

Tom Kenney, the Alfred State College baseball coach, registered his 600th career victory as skipper of the Pioneers on Sunday with a 2-1, nine-inning victory in game one of a doubleheader versus Erie CC. ASC fell 3-1 in the nightcap and are now 3-1 (3-1 WNYAC) in the fall season.

In the opener, Joe Wallace (Avoca) hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Pioneers to Coach Kenney's milestone victory. Wallace's sac fly made a winner out of Mark Ciccotti (Horseheads). Ciccotti didn't allow an earned run in nine innings of work. He scattered seven hits, struck out six, and walked one.

Kenney, the Pioneer head coach since the re-inception of baseball in 1994 is now 600-281-2 in his career at Alfred State.

The Pioneers wasted a solid outing from Brian Ervay (Elmira Southside) in the nightcap. Ervay didn't allow an earned run in five innings of work. He gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out two.

The blue & gold collected just three hits and left bases loaded in both the 3rd and 6th innings.

Alfred State returns to action on Saturday when they travel to defending WNYAC champion Niagara CCC. First pitch in Sanborn is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The Alfred State College volleyball team could never get anything going and fell to WNYAC rival Genesee CC on Tuesday evening. The Cougars won 3-0 (21-25, 15-25, and 16-25) to improve to 3-8 on the season while the Lady Pioneers are now 2-2.

Rachel Hale (Batavia) led ASC with 10 digs and two service aces while Brittany Haines (Salamanca) finished with 13 assists and five digs. Emily Linn (Portville) and Bobbi Hopkins (Southwestern) each had four kills.

The Lady Pioneers travel to the Mohawk Valley CC Tournament this weekend. They will play Herkimer CCC, Niagara CCC, and SUNY Delhi in pool play beginning at 9 a.m. in Utica.

The 2009 Alfred State College women's soccer team opened up their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Tompkins Cortland CC under the lights at Pioneer Stadium. The Lady Pioneers scored goals in each half en route to the victory.

Therese Hubbel (Bishop Kearney) got the blue & gold on the board late in the first half when she snuck a shot past the Lady Panther goalie after getting a pass from Audry Rath (Medina).

McKenzie Finnemore (Genesee Valley) made it 2-0 when her header off a corner kick from Shawna McNeil (Hornell) found the back of the net.

Mo Parks (Avoca) made 10 saves in the first 83+ minutes while Megan O'Shaughnessey (Sachem) made two saves to finish off the shutout.

The Lady Pioneers return to action on Thursday when they host SUNY Delhi at 6:30 p.m. under the lights at ASC.

Alfred State College has announced that J. Joseph Wilder, founding partner of Wilder & Linneball, LLP, law firm, has been elected chair of the board of the Alfred State College Development Fund, Inc.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to be offered this opportunity,” said Wilder. “The Board’s dual responsibilities for endowment oversight and fundraising are an exciting challenge. Alfred State College has seen unprecedented fundraising success – the 2008-09 fiscal year saw the largest single year total of private support for the College. We’ve just completed our Centennial Capital Campaign, timed to coincide with the 100th birthday of the College, which raised $7.4M, exceeding its goal by over 100%.”

Wilder, a graduate of Alfred State, ’77, Purdue University, and SUNY Buffalo, has been recognized by Business First magazine as one of the Best Business Lawyers in Western New York. In 1997, he was one of only 16 attorneys selected by Business First for its list of “Who Runs Western New York Business.” His non-profit work is also extensive.

As an Alfred State alumnus, Wilder is focused on helping the College continue and expand its success. “Graduates know that the education offered at Alfred State is among the best for the tuition anywhere,” he said. “Western New York State faces unprecedented economic challenges, and Alfred State College will play a major role in the revitalization of the economy of the region. Alfred State primarily produces graduates who remain in the state, with 99% of job-seeking graduates employed immediately upon graduation, buying homes, paying property taxes, and supporting their local economies. As Western New York meets the current economic challenge, Alfred State College will emerge as a very important part of our recovery.” Those interested in supporting Alfred State’s success can contact Wilder or Dan Barwick [(607)-587-3930)], the Director of Institutional Advancement at the College.